(ANTIGONISH, NS) Isaac Cull led the UNB Reds in Saturday's opening race of the Atlantic University Sport Cross Country season, running to a 5^th place finish at the St FX Invitational.

Cull covered the eight-kilometre course in 25:43.18, 34 seconds back of the winner, Andrew Peverill, of the Saint Mary's Huskies.

“Isaac looked strong,” said Reds head coach Chris Belof. “We’re very happy with his effort. He certainly has a lot of growth left in this season. We’ll be looking for him to challenge for a top three position at the conference championship.”

The AUS season was to have opened two weeks ago, but the SMU/Dal Invitational was cancelled due to Hurricane Dorian.

Dawson Nancekievill placed 14^th for the Reds, while Michael Colford ran 17^th in the field of 70.

Other Reds finishers included Jeremy Neuffer (20^th), Ryan Larter (23^rd), Brody Boudreau (24^th), Ian Verschoor (34^th), Mitch Spragg (37^th), Evan Smith (39^th), Tyler Adams (40^th), Aidan Donnelly (41^st), Chance Blackstone (43^rd), Ian Baldwin (45^th), Luke Phillips (46^th), and Vardaan Malhotra (52^nd).

“Our men executed the race plan well,” said Belof. “They ran controlled throughout the race, never outside of themselves. All were patient and capitalized on opponents’ mistakes.”

The next race on the AUS schedule is the Acadia Invitational, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, October 5^th.